Punch press



Jan. 22, 1935. M. F. BOLLAERT 1,988,935

PUNCH PRE S S Filed Jan. 18, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Illllllllllllllllll II I H I N VEN TOR.

MEDARD F BOLLHERT M 77- Q/awny A TTORNEY Jan. 22', 1935. M, F, B'OLLAERT 1,988,935

PUNCH PRES S INVENTOR.

MED/1RD E BOL LAERT BY M 97. Y/mA/n, 99 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES 1,9sa9s5v PUNCH PRESS Medard F. Bollaert; Oakland, Calif; Application January 18, 1933, SerialNo. 652,293

11 Claims.

Theoinvention relates to a punch press of a turrettype.

An object of the invention is to provide a generally improved punching machine over that .5 disclosedin my United, States Patent No. 1,837,

522, issued December 22, 1931. v

A more specific object is to provide a punch pressof the class described wherein different punches thereof may be selectively used with a 10,

nature of the material to be perforated or otherwise treated. V I

Another object is toprovide a means for removably and independently mounting dies of the 15, press for adjustmentintodesired alignmentwith the movable punches or other tools to be used therewith.

A further object is to automatically prevent an operative actuation of a movable tool of the 20 press unless and until the same is properly aligned with the die with which it is to cooperate.

The invention possesses other objects and features, of I advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth or be apparent in the following description oftypical embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which, 1

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a punch press embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the press.

Figure 3 is a sectional View at 3-3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is fragmentary view at the broken line 44 in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section at 55 in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a die means of the'press, the related elements being shown in mutually separated relation and in enlarged perspective. a

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section at 'l--7 in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary-section at 8-8 in Figure 1. a

Figure- 9 is a side elevation of anotherem- 45 bodiment of the press, portions of the 'structur being shown in section. I g ygFigurelllis a fragmentary section at 10-10 in Figure 9. I

As particularly illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, the features of present invention are incorporated in the structure of a punch press unit 11 having its working elements mounted in a U-shapedframel2 disposed in a vertical plane and on one side thereof. The frame structure is of general T section, with given die in accordance with the thickness or the stem of the T provided-by a web portion 13 which defines the plane of the frame :andimT- parts a required degree of strength and rigidity insaid plane. A cross-web-portion 14:- of the frame extends across the inner .edge ofthe web ,5, 13 to stiffen the frame laterally thereof anddefines the. central frame space in; which; tool holders-l5 and 16 are mounted Feet llextend integrally from thelower edge of a the lower frame leg 18; to provide a basefortheframe, and the upper frame leg 19 mounts ;a plunger or mandrel 21 at its forward end an'd-for recipro cation to actuate a tool of the upper holder 13. The various frame portions may be integrally associated in a one-piece structure, as is particularly shown. or g The tool holders and 16 comprise circular turntables coaxially mounted: on the frame-legs 18 and 19 respectively in axially spaced relation for receiving between them plates or sheet Inaterial to be perforated or otherwise treated. In the present unit, the upper holder l5 carriesa shear tool 22 and a plurality-ofpunching tools 2,3for coaetion respectively with a shear blade 24 and'dies mounted inthe holder 16, A circle of guide bores 26 is providedthrough the upper holder or turntable 15 adjacent its outer edge,'said circle coaxial withtheswivel axis'of the turntable and said bores arranged'to. receive the shank portions of the tools-22 and 23 for. reciprocation therein. The lower turntable 16 is provided with a line of sockets underlying the line of bores 26 of the-upper turntable; one said socket receiving the shear blade 24 and the re-" maining said sockets mounting the-dies 25 for coaetion with the punching .tools 23.

Preferably, and as shown, the tool-receiving bores 26 of the turntable 15 .are of like section whereby theshank portions of the too1s;22.and- 23 may all have the same section and are inter--v changeable as to their mounted positions the turntable. In the present instance, the bit portions 27 of the punching tools 23 areremovably mounted on like shankportions 28 ofthe tools whereby the former,and working, portions of the tools may be replaced. Similarly, theshear tool 22 comprises a shear blade 29" removably and replaceably mounted on a shank-30 engaging in a bore 26. At their upper, and head, ends the tool shanks29' andQBQ areprovided with lat eral segmental notches 31- for use in a' manner to be hereinafter described.

An upright guideway comprising, aligned-and. spaced bores 32 isprovided in the forward end of the upper frame portion .and carriesth'e,

mandrel element 21 for reciprocation therein. As particularly brought out in Figure 8, the mandrel element 21 is intermediately and laterally expanded between the guideway bores 32 to provide a strap portion 33 defining anelongated bore or slot 34 therein receiving a disc 35. The disc 35 is eccen'trically mounted on a shaft 36 with its center above the shaft axis and for oscillation as an eccentric to effect a reciprocative actuation of the mandrel. As particularly disclosed, the shaft 36 is journalled in frame portions at opposite sides of the space in which the eccentric is operative, and an extending end of said shaft carries a hand lever 37 for actuation to rotate the shaft 36. The lower end of the mandrel 21 is arranged to overlie the head of a tool to be actuated therewith and is provided with a depending L-shaped extension having 'a forwardly directed portion 38 thereof for engagement in a tool head notch 31 whereby the engaged tool may be reciprocated with and by the mandrel.

Normally, all of the tools of the turntable 15 are disposed in inoperatively raised positions with their head notches 31 in mutually coplanar relation, and the notch-engaging mandrel extension 38'is arranged to lie in said plane. In this manner, the turntable may be rotated to dispose and engage a selected said tool beneath the mandrel forreciprocation therewith. Since the tools not engaged by the mandrel are to be inoperatively disposed and yet must be depressible when engaged'by the mandrel, a track 39 is provided for engaging the head notches 31 i of said tools-to hold the tools in their raised and inoperative position. As particularly shown, the track 39 comprises an annular radial flange extendingfrom the periphery of a circular plate member 41 which is fixed to and beneath the upper'frame leg 19, said plate and flange notched out in the zone of action of the mandrel 21 whereby the mandrel extension normally provided'a continuation of the track at the mandrel. v In this manner, a continuous supporting means is-provided for tool heads as the holder 15 is rotativelyadjusted.

Besides providing a tool-supporting track, the plate 41 also mounts the holder or turntable 15. As particularly shown in Figures 4 and 8, a central cylindrical boss 42 depends axially from the plate 41 and engages through a central perforation of the holder 15, while a washer 43 fixed tothe lower end of the boss by means of a bolt 44 completes the swivel mounting of the holder in its place, the various elements thus associated closely fitting at their areas of mut ual engagement for insuring a fixed positioning of the turntable assembly at all times. At a pointthereof laterally outwardly of the frame flange or web 14, the plate 41 is provided with a removable portion 45 which includes a section of the track 39 whereby, when the plate portion 45 is removed, a selected tool, or atleast its shank, may be removed upwardly, or inserted downwardly, through a bore 26 thereat.

A base plate 46 mounted on the lower frame leg 19 carries the lower holder or turntable 16 swivelled thereto and in its previously mentioned coaxial. relation with the upper turntable. As shown in Figures 3 and 8, the swivel joint provided for the turntable 16 comprises a central boss portion 47, of the plate 46 extending upwardly through an axial bore of the turntable and carrying a washer 48 fixed thereto by means of a bolt 49," said washer preferably counters sunk in the top of the turntable and having the head of the bolt 49 countersunk therein. The outer, and tool-carrying portion of the turntable 16 is arranged to bear on the plate 46 for support thereby in the line of said tools.

The disclosed punch dies, it will now be noted, comprise cylindric bodies of like diameter having rounded tops for extension above the upper face of the turntable 16 to define a plane of support and are provided with slightly eccentric axial bores whereby cutting edges 51 are defined at the upper ends of said bores. The line of the sockets 52 which receive said dies is of the same diameter as the line of the punchreceiving bores 15, and said sockets are cylindric and of larger diameter than the die bodies. Preferably, the eccentricity of the die body bores is alike for the various dies, and the diameter of the sockets 52 exceeds that of the die bodies by said eccentricity of the cutting edges 51. Shim members 53 of crescent section are provided for mounting in the sockets beside the dies, the inner and outer radii of curvature of these members substantially equaling the radii of the die bodies and the sockets respectively. It is noted that the present arrangement permits an exact adjustment of the die cuttin edges 51 into coaxial alignment with the cutting edges 54 of the punches 23. Set screws 55 are mounted in the turntable 16 and extend radially from the periphery thereof into the die sockets 52 for securing the dies in their adjusted positions. Reduced openings 56 are provided at the bottoms of the sockets for discharging punchings therefrom and into mutually registering notches 57 and 58 provided at the front of the plate 46 and the frame portion 19 respectively, the discharge chute thus provided arranged to register with the socket which carries a die which is in use.

The socket 59 which receives the shear blade 24 is preferably continued horizontally outwardly to the turntable edge, and said blade may be integral with a base 61 which is bolted in its place in the socket 59. The disclosed obliquity of the shearing edges to a tangent to the tool circle thereat is understood to provide for intermediately cutting longer strips of material than could be out if the shear line was parallel to such tangent.

It will now be noted that in the perforating or punching of sheet material the diameter of the cutting edge of a punch is less than that of the cutting edge of the cooperating die, and that the desirable difference between said diameters generally increases with the thickness of the material and/or its hardness. By providing a graduated series of the dies and punches wherein the size differences are slight, the disclosed provision for independently setting the turntables l and 16 permits the use of more than one punch with a given die whereby holes of a given size may be most satisfactorily produced in sheets or plates of different thicknesses or materials by setting the appropriate punch and die in mutual alignment with the mandrel 21 and actuating the latter by the means provided. After a perforation is made, the punched sheet or plate is arranged to be disengaged from the punch which has been applied therethrough by means of a stripper member 62 fixed to the turntable 15. As shown, a member 62 is provided at each punch 23, said members being generally fork-like and each having their tines bent horizontally inwardly to freely receive the punches Ill) between. them Whilethe 5 disclosed punches and dies=are designed to produceround' holes it will-beunderstoodthat appropriate punches and diesmay be providedand utilized-for producing holes -0f-Cth8PTS6CtlOI1L Means are provided for positivelwandreleas ably locking the turntables-15 and-16 to -dispose a: selected die 25 anel the punch 23 to be used therewith in mutual alignment with the-.punchoperating mandrer 21 In the present unit; lock= ing-pins 63 and- 64-are provided for engagement with theturntables r 15 and 16 respectively when any punch ordie-is alignedi with the mandrel. As particularly disclosed, the pin' 63 is-rec'iprocable ine a vertical: bore extending through the web 14 and plate' 41 at 'theaupper' frame: leg 18 for engagement in the appropriateone of-a circle of perforations 65-provided'in-the upper turntable l5r Similarly;- therpinvfi: engages-in a vertical Lbore extending through" the web... 141and plate-146 at the lowerlframe kleg ."19J for-i=selective engagement in perforations.:66 -..of :the. turntable 16.

The disposal. ofthe pin: 63: is controlled.:.by means -iof abell crankilever 167, saidlever pivoted onthe frame. portion;18:;and1having antarm 681- thereof; freely engaging. a slot in: the exposed end. of the pin: whereby a rocking of the-leveriwillreciprocate thev pin. A. tension spring 69 isoperative between the; lever." 6'? and the=.fra1ne-v to resiliently urge a; disposal ofsth'er pin.63i in.a socket-of :the: turntable 15. Another arm 70 of the lever :67.is. provided .with ahandle 71 whereby the lever :may beamanually rockedcagainst the resistancerof the" spring 69 to :withdraw'the pin .63 for :permitting' 31 desired setting" or: resetting; of the: turntable.- A similar. control means: is provided for the pin 64, said .means' comprising azbelt Icrank :lever '72 having: plneengaging: and: handlaarms .73 and '74 respectively; and-normally-;controlled by asspring 75 to retaint the 1 pin in its operativerpositionr.

It" will. now -benotedxrthat the t hand lever 37 normally; 'rests' on amsupport pin: 76'- extending transversely-from thecupper frameaportion; and thatthe mandrel 21 isnin its. uppermostposition for r engaging: a selected" punch when: the handslever-is so disposed-5 Movement. of'said lever, upwardly and forwardly from itstnormal position is arrangedtodepress themandrel as aram to operably; dispose the tool engaged by the mandrel; Preferably, and. as I particularly indicated in Figure 8, the parallel-sides of the eccentric-receiving. slot 34 of i the mandrel are inclined...to the horizontal and: upwardly from the inner slot end, wherebyxthe: mandrel move ment is: arranged to begin sooner than" if said axis were 'horizontal and the mechanical advantage of the eccentric action is increased during the working" part of 'the mandrel stroke. In practice, a'sixteen degree inclination of thebore 34 has been found most advantageous: For minimizing friction at the eccentric 35-,bal1'bear.-. ings 77 are interposed between the said eccentric and the bore 34;

By reference to Figures 1. and 2,. it willbe seen that the upper end of the free arm .70:.of the lever 67 provides a rearwardlydirectedhook extension'78 which is arranged to be disposed in the path of a pin .79 extendinglaterally from the hand lever 37 except when the pin 63 is fully operative .in asocket 65 of the-turntable-l5. In this manner, the operation of. the. lever 3'7 is prevented unless a tool of theturntable 15 is held aligned with themandrel through the disposal of thepinflll in'its operative position.

In the embodiment-of Figures 9 and-l0, the operative -assembly of the disclosed unit 80 is generally as: that-of the first embodiment, except thatthe movable tools are arranged to be actuated from-a; power 'shaft iil journalled at the top of the press frame and. disposed in the frame plane. In the present embodiment, a longitudi nal-ly reciprocable tool-actuating mandrel 82 is'arranged for actuation-from an eccentric 83 mounted on the forward end of the shaft 81 through a link 84 appropriately connecting the mandrel and' 'eccentric: The lower end of the mandrel- 82 is arrangedfor engaging tools of the upperv turntable-in the manner taught for the previously described embodiment, and the turntable assemblies-and their mounting means are identical. for b'oth" embodiments. The locking pins 63- 'andfi lare: also provided in the'present structure, andthe control thereof is afforded through'bell crank layers 85 and 86respective-'- ly corresponding. to the lovers 67 and' 72' of the first embodiment.

A pulley 87 is mounted on the inner end of the shaftBL'forfree rotation thereabout and a sleeve 88:13 fixed'to the shaft adjacent the pulley, saidxpulleyand sleeve providing mutually cooperativetclutch means for fixingthe sleeve to the pulley for rotation therewith to effect a working-5 stroke of the mandrel 82 through an actuation of. the shaft 81. Circumferentially thereof .the'slceve 88 is providedwith a groove 89; said-groove normally receiving theupper end ofxl at. bar 90. mounted on the press framefor longitudinal reciprocation. to.. and from its groove-engaging position. A bolt: element 91. is.:mounted.in the'sleeve 88J to extend'axially therein and in part across the groove 89,.said .element notched out to provide azibevelledface 92.at the groove.- When the upper barztend.engages.the bolt not-ch, the bolt is held iniwithdrawn relationtoa socket 93 provided in:the-'opposed face of the pulleyyit being understood-rthatthe engagement .ofthe bolt 91 in'said socket-locksthe sleeve to. the pulley for rotation therewith and that adownward movement'of the bar to disengage it from the bolt at the face-192$ thereof releases the bolt forengagementin'theusocket 93' whenthe-latter lies opposite the inner bolt "end.

Following a releaseoftthe bolt 91 and a subsequentrele'ase ofpthebar for thefull engagement ofJitsnpper endtin'the.sleeve'groove. 89; the pulley and the shaft' Bl. are:.rotated'.together until the bar end again engages the bolt face 92 to:withdraw1the-bolt and so release the sleeve from thepulley. Since each mandrel actuation requires but one'rotation of thetshaft 81, it will be understood that the-described connection between the pulley and sleeve provides for any intermittent actuation of the mandrel wherein but one cycleof its operation may be performed followinga temporary withdrawal of the bar 90, thepulley'il'l being continually rotated at a constant v speed by power means not shown. The said withdrawal of the-bar 90may be effected in any 'suitablemanner; as particularly shown, the bar is connected with a lever system mounted on the=press=frame and indicated generally by the numeral 194,. said lever system including a foot lever 95.having"a forward end thereof extending at the front of the press for manipulation. by? an: operatoris foot, either" directly: or through; means: such-x. as, a: stirrup, depending spring-pressed I therefrom. The lever system 94 may be so counterweighted as to constantly urge the bar 90 to its normal raised position.

It will now be noted that rods 96 and 97 are pivotally connected to the free arms of the levers and 86 and extend generally horizontally toward the bar with their free ends respectively arranged for engagement in perforations 98 and 99 of the bar when the corresponding locking pin is withdrawn from a turntable socket. The bar perforations 98 and 99 register with the rod ends only when the bar is in its raised position; in this manner, the bar may not be displaced unless both of the pins 63 and64 are operatively disposed, whereby an'actuation of the mandrel is prevented unless both a punch and a die are in alignment therewith.

While the press structures now described are provided with cooperating punches and dies. for perforating, it will be understood that the toolcarrying turntables 15 and 16 may carry forming dies or other tools for performing single; or series operations on sheet or other material,

and that such uses of the disclosed tool positioning and actuating features fall generally within the scope of the present invention. By reason of the unobstructed space between the tool-holding turntables for receiving material to be worked on, it will be further noted that working operations may be performed with the selected ,tool combination at interior points of relatively large sheets of material, the distance of an operation from the nearest edge of a sheet being limited only by the depth of the space between the frame legs as measured from the working tool and in the plane of support defined by the tops of. the dies mounted in the lower turntable; this provides for a maximum usefulness of the unit without involving an undue weight of the moving parts thereof.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and method of operation will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of voperation, together with what I now consider to be preferred embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that the structures shown are primarily illustrative, and that such changes may be made, when desired, as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States the following:

1. In a press of the class described, a frame, turntables independently swivelled in said frame in coaxial and mutually spaced relation to provide an unobstructed space between them and across the turntable axis for receiving material to be worked, a series of normally withdrawn punches carried by a said turntable for operative movement axially thereof, a series of punch dies carried by the other said turntable for coaction with said punches, more than one of said dies adapted for coaction with a given said punch, means independently coactive between the turntables and the frame to releasably fix said turntables against rotation while a selected punch of the first turntable is in cooperative alignment with a selected die of the second turntable, and means to effect a working stroke of the said selected punch.

2. In a press of the character described, a frame, upper and lower turntables swivelled in said frame for independent rotative adjustment and in coaxial and mutually spaced relation to provide an unobstructed space between them for receiving material to be operated on, a series of punch tools carried by the upper turntable for selective operation against material in said space, die means provided on said lower turntable for cooperation with the punch tools of the upper turntable, a stationary track mounted above the upper turntable and supporting the punch tools in normally elevated and inoperative position, said track provided with an open.- ing at a forwardpoint thereof, a mandrel reciprocably mounted in the frame and adapted for projection through the track opening, means of said mandrel engageable with a punch at said notch for movement of the punch therewith, and means to reciprocate said mandrel.

3. Ina punch press, a frame, means mounting a punch tool on said frame for a solely rectilinear operative movement thereof, means providing a fixed cylindric socket having the axis thereof parallel to the line of action of said punch tool, a punch die engagedin said socket and providing a continuous cutting edge for ccaction with the punch tool, the body of said die cylindric and being of less diameter than the socket and axially eccentric with respect to the said cutting edge of the die, a crescent-shaped shim member fittedly engaged between the socket bore and the tool body, and means to fix the die and shim member in rotatively adjusted relation in the socket.

4. A structure in accordance with claim 3, and wherein the maximum radial thickness of the shim member equals the eccentricity of the die cutting edge with respect to the die body axis.

5. In a press of the class described, a'frame, turntables swivelled in said frame in coaxial and mutually spaced relationto provide a space between them for receiving materialto be operated on, tools carried by said turntables for cooperative action against material disposed between the turntables, a mandrel mounted in said frame for reciprocation in a fixed line to actuate a selected tool of one turntable against the material and in cooperation with a selected tool of the other turntable, means defining a transverse slot in the mandrel intermediately thereof, an eccentric rotatably and slidably operative in said slot, and means to rotate said eccentric in said slot for effecting an operative movement of the mandrel.

6. In' a press of the class described, a frame,

movableand fixed tools carried by the'frame,

for cooperative action against material disposed between the tools, a mandrel mounted in said frame for reciprocation in a fixedline to engage and actuate said movable tool, means of the mandrel defining a slot oblique to the line of action of the mandrel, an eccentric operative in said slot and normally disposed with its center above its pivotal axis whereby a rotation thereof is arranged to effect an operative movement of the mandrel, the bottom of said slot presenting an upward incline with respect to the eccentric during an operative rotation of the latter. I

7. In a device of the class described, a support frame, a tool holder movable therein, a plurality of tools carried by said tool holder, a mandrel mounted for reciprocation in said frame and having means for selectively engaging a said tool for movement therewith, means for positioning and securing a selected said tool in operative engagement with said mandrel, actuating means for said mandrel, and means wheretive.

8. In a device of the class described, a support frame, a tool holder movable therein, a plurality of tools carried by said tool holder, a mandrel mounted for reciprocation in said frame and arranged for selective engagement with a said tool for actuating the same, means for positioning a selected said tool of the holder for actuating engagement by said mandrel, means for releasably locking the holder against movement when the selected tool has been positioned for engagement by the mandrel, actuating means for said mandrel, and means of the holder looking means automatically operative to prevent an operation of the mandrel actuating means except when said holder locking means is operative.

9. In a punch press or the like, a support frame, spaced and mutually coaxial turntables, tools carried by said turntables for cooperative action against material disposed between the turntables, the tools of one turntable movable therein and those of the other turntable fixed therein, av mandrel mounted for reciprocation in said frame and for selective and operative engagement with a movable tool of the first turntable, means for locking the first turntable against rotation when a selected tool thereof has been disposed for actuation by said mandrel, means for locking the second turntable against rotation when a selected tool thereof is disposed for coaction with the said selected tool of the first turntable, actuating means for said mandrel, and means of a said turntable locking means automatically operative to prevent an operation of the mandrel actuating means except when the turntable locking means is operative.

10. In a press of the class described, a frame, mutually spaced and opposed turntables coaxially swivelled in said frame and arranged for relative rotation about their common axis, a series of normally withdrawn punches carried by a said turntable for operative movement axially thereof and across the space defined between the turntables, a series of punch dies carried by the other said turntable for coaction with said punches, more than one of said dies being adapted for coaction with a given said punch, means independently coactive between the different turntables and the frame to releasably fix said turntables against rotation while a selected punch of the first turntable is in cooperative alignment with a selected die of the second turntable, and

means to effect a working stroke of the said selected punch.

11. In a punch press of the class described and for operation on a planar sheet of material, a U-shaped frame, relatively free turntables independently mounted on the different said frame legs in mutually opposed and spaced relation and for rotation about a common axis extending between the legs adjacent the open side of the frame, a planar and entirely unobstructed sheet-receiving space being defined between the turntables for receiving the sheet of material in any or all parts of the space and to extend to the frame portion connecting the legs, and circular lines of differing tools having their centers in the aforesaid axis and carried by the diiferent said turntables in mutual opposition and for the selective and cooperative action of complementary tools of the diiferent lines thereof against a sheet of material disposed between the turntables.

MEDARD F. BOLLAERT. 

